SWCB Approves Regulation to Use Audio Recorders

By Michael Whiteley, Eastern Bureau ChiefThe New York State Workers' Compensation Board (SWCB) voted last week to eliminate a requirement that live stenographers prepare transcripts of all hearings in the workers' compensation system, while unions continue to lobby Gov. Andrew Cuomo to block the board's plans to replace stenographers with digital recorders.The board voted 11-1 without discussion Tuesday to approve a 10-month-old proposed regulatory change that removes the phrase "stenographic transcript" from 10 sections of SWCB rules governing hearings by law judges, board panels ...